B.M.A. Olympians

Burke Mountain Academy is nestled into the heart of the mountain for which it was named, and now they are cheering on three athletes representing the Stars and Stripes in Vancouver: Liz Stephen, Casey Puckett, and Nolan Kasper. According to B.M.A. headmaster Kirk Dwyer, it's exciting for the school to see graduates competing at an Olympic level.

Stephen already had her run at Whistler Olympic Park on February 15. She finished 50 out of 78 in the Women's 10k individual cross country ski race and crossed the finish line after 27:41.1, only 2:42.7 after the gold medalist, Kalla Charlotte of Sweeden. Stephen will race today (February 19) at 1:00 P.M. (Vancouver, B.C. time) in the Women's 15k Pursuit, an event she was just added to.

The next B.M.A. graduate to race is four-time Olympic Champion Casey Puckett. Puckett retired from the U.S. Men's Alpine team in 2002, but found a new passion in ski cross. He will be racing to the finish line on Cypress Mountain February 21 at 9:15 A.M. (Vancouver, B.C. time) for the qualification round.

The last Burkie to race is 20-year-old, first time Olympian Nolan Kasper. Kasper will have his chance on the slopes of Whistler on Saturday, February 27, at 10:00 A.M. (Vancouver, B.C. time) for the Men's Slalom.